Winter weather in Louisiana is known for being unpredictable and dangerous, especially in winter. Today, you might need an umbrella and some rain boots, while tomorrow you could find yourself slipping on ice. When you encounter these weather variations on the roads, the results can be deadly.
This is why it is vital to understand how to drive safely in adverse weather conditions. A significant portion of accidents are caused by poor weather. According to Esurance, common weather conditions you could encounter in the winter include rain, fog, wind, snow and ice. Black ice is particularly hazardous. This thin sheet of ice is deceptively slick and often forms overnight on bridges or shady places in the road. It usually does not look like ice, but you might think it is a wet patch or a shadow.
When driving in winter, the most important rule to remember is to slow down when the weather is bad. You will need to give other vehicles plenty of space to change lanes or stop. If you encounter ice, do not slam on the brakes. Instead, try to remain calm and remove your foot from the gas, then slowly brake. If you run into whiteout conditions, high winds or heavy rain, you might opt to pull over and wait for these conditions to lessen. In poor weather, you might want to give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you are not in a rush, or stay home if possible.
You might be able to protect yourself and others by adopting safe driving habits. Additionally, driving safely may help you avoid legal action.